Backpacks For Success

We're so excited to announce that the 2018 Backpacks for Success Program has raised over $20,000 and countless supplies for kids - right here at home. Over 1,000 backpacks filled with supplies have been donated to schools and programs across our community.

Thank you to all who donated, volunteered, and supported the program in any way to make sure that children in Windsor-Essex County go back to school with the supplies they need to succeed. That's what we call showing your local love!

Special thanks to our Emerging Philanthropists group for leading this campaign and working with dozens of groups and people across the community to make this happen. A very special thanks to the following organizations for showing their support:

Check out some photos of this year's Backpacks & Brews event where over 700 backpacks were filled with supplies:

WHAT IS BACKPACKS FOR SUCCESS: United Way’s Emerging Philanthropists lead the Backpacks for Success campaign alongside community partners to raise funds and collect backpacks and school supplies. Many students in Windsor-Essex County are in need of back to school supplies in order to start the school year equipped with the materials to be successful.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT: Providing kids with back to school supplies increases classroom participation, attendance, student morale, and most importantly the confidence to succeed in school.

WHAT IS THE EMERGING PHILANTHROPISTS: Emerging Philanthropists is a unique opportunity for young leaders to create positive change in their community through United Way. This group is comprised of 66 emerging philanthropists in our community who have come together to be inspired by and engage in the work of United Way.

Click here for more information about the Emerging Philanthropists program.